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City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College vs Blackburn College: which has better ROI?

Public, Chicago IL · vs · Private nonprofit, Carlinville IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Blackburn College comes closer — median earnings $46,802 against a $73,840 total, vs $41,625 at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCity Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright CollegeBlackburn College
Net price / yr$6,375$18,460
Total net cost$12,750$73,840
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,625$46,802
Median debt$6,500$24,242
Payback
20-year net return-$147,450-$105,000

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

Which is cheaper, City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College or Blackburn College?

City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College, at $6,375 a year after aid versus $18,460 — a gap of $12,085 a year, or $61,090 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-Wilbur Wright College or Blackburn College graduates earn more?

Blackburn College graduates report a median $46,802 ten years after entry, $5,177 more than the $41,625 at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright 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-Wilbur Wright College or Blackburn College?

City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $24,242 at Blackburn College, a difference of $17,742. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at Blackburn College, against 31% at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright 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-Wilbur Wright College vs Blackburn College: frequently asked questions

Is City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College or Blackburn College a better value?
Blackburn 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-Wilbur Wright College or Blackburn College?
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College: $6,375/yr net price after aid versus $18,460/yr at Blackburn College — a difference of $12,085 a year, or about $61,090 over four years.
Do City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College or Blackburn College graduates earn more?
Blackburn College graduates earn a median $46,802 ten years after entry, versus $41,625 at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College — a $5,177 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.