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

Public, Chicago IL · vs · Public, Centralia IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Kaskaskia College comes closer — median earnings $38,801 against a $25,908 total, vs $36,484 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCity Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman CollegeKaskaskia College
Net price / yr$7,863$6,477
Total net cost$31,452$25,908
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,484$38,801
Median debt$6,997$3,750
Payback
20-year net return-$268,972-$217,088

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 Kaskaskia College?

Kaskaskia College, at $6,477 a year after aid versus $7,863 — a gap of $1,386 a year, or $5,544 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 Kaskaskia College graduates earn more?

Kaskaskia College graduates report a median $38,801 ten years after entry, $2,317 more than the $36,484 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman 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 Kaskaskia College?

Kaskaskia College: its completers carry a median $3,750 in federal loans versus $6,997 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College, a difference of $3,247. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

49% of students finish at Kaskaskia College, against 32% at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman 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 Kaskaskia College: frequently asked questions

Is City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College or Kaskaskia College a better value?
Kaskaskia 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 Kaskaskia College?
Kaskaskia College: $6,477/yr net price after aid versus $7,863/yr at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College — a difference of $1,386 a year, or about $5,544 over four years.
Do City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College or Kaskaskia College graduates earn more?
Kaskaskia College graduates earn a median $38,801 ten years after entry, versus $36,484 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College — a $2,317 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.