College of DuPage vs Chicago State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of DuPage comes closer — median earnings $46,909 against a $14,802 total, vs $42,778 at Chicago State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of DuPage | Chicago State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,401 | $12,335 |
| Total net cost | $14,802 | $49,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,909 | $42,778 |
| Median debt | $10,410 | $30,625 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$43,822 | -$160,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of DuPage or Chicago State University?
College of DuPage, at $7,401 a year after aid versus $12,335 — a gap of $4,934 a year, or $34,538 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do College of DuPage or Chicago State University graduates earn more?
College of DuPage graduates report a median $46,909 ten years after entry, $4,131 more than the $42,778 at Chicago State University. 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, College of DuPage or Chicago State University?
College of DuPage: its completers carry a median $10,410 in federal loans versus $30,625 at Chicago State University, a difference of $20,215. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
25% of students finish at College of DuPage, 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.