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Concordia University-Chicago vs Trinity Christian College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, River Forest IL · vs · Private nonprofit, Palos Heights IL

The verdict

Trinity Christian College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,500 in 10.4 years versus 12.9 years at Concordia University-Chicago, on median earnings of $55,700 vs $54,089 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureConcordia University-ChicagoTrinity Christian College
Net price / yr$18,436$19,125
Total net cost$73,744$76,500
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,089$55,700
Median debt$23,000$25,009
Payback12.9 yrs10.4 yrs
20-year net return$40,836$70,300

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

Which is cheaper, Concordia University-Chicago or Trinity Christian College?

Concordia University-Chicago, at $18,436 a year after aid versus $19,125 — a gap of $689 a year, or $2,756 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Concordia University-Chicago or Trinity Christian College graduates earn more?

Trinity Christian College graduates report a median $55,700 ten years after entry, $1,611 more than the $54,089 at Concordia University-Chicago. 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, Concordia University-Chicago or Trinity Christian College?

Concordia University-Chicago: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $25,009 at Trinity Christian College, a difference of $2,009. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

58% of students finish at Trinity Christian College, against 36% at Concordia University-Chicago. 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.

Concordia University-Chicago vs Trinity Christian College: frequently asked questions

Is Concordia University-Chicago or Trinity Christian College a better value?
Trinity Christian College. It clears its $76,500 net cost in about 10.4 years versus 12.9 years at Concordia University-Chicago, on median earnings of $55,700 vs $54,089 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Concordia University-Chicago or Trinity Christian College?
Concordia University-Chicago: $18,436/yr net price after aid versus $19,125/yr at Trinity Christian College — a difference of $689 a year, or about $2,756 over four years.
Do Concordia University-Chicago or Trinity Christian College graduates earn more?
Trinity Christian College graduates earn a median $55,700 ten years after entry, versus $54,089 at Concordia University-Chicago — a $1,611 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.