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City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College vs City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman 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-Wilbur Wright College comes closer — median earnings $41,625 against a $12,750 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-Wilbur Wright CollegeCity Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College
Net price / yr$6,375$7,863
Total net cost$12,750$31,452
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,625$36,484
Median debt$6,500$6,997
Payback
20-year net return-$147,450-$268,972

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 City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College?

City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College, at $6,375 a year after aid versus $7,863 — a gap of $1,488 a year, or $18,702 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 City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College graduates earn more?

City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College graduates report a median $41,625 ten years after entry, $5,141 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-Wilbur Wright College or City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College?

City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $6,997 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College, a difference of $497. 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-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 City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College: frequently asked questions

Is City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College or City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College a better value?
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright 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 City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College?
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College: $6,375/yr net price after aid versus $7,863/yr at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College — a difference of $1,488 a year, or about $18,702 over four years.
Do City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College or City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College graduates earn more?
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College graduates earn a median $41,625 ten years after entry, versus $36,484 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College — a $5,141 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.