DeVry University-Illinois vs Blackburn College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Blackburn College comes closer — median earnings $46,802 against a $73,840 total, vs $45,987 at DeVry University-Illinois. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | DeVry University-Illinois | Blackburn College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,770 | $18,460 |
| Total net cost | $123,080 | $73,840 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,987 | $46,802 |
| Median debt | $24,807 | $24,242 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$170,540 | -$105,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, DeVry University-Illinois or Blackburn College?
Blackburn College, at $18,460 a year after aid versus $30,770 — a gap of $12,310 a year, or $49,240 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do DeVry University-Illinois or Blackburn College graduates earn more?
Blackburn College graduates report a median $46,802 ten years after entry, $815 more than the $45,987 at DeVry University-Illinois. 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, DeVry University-Illinois or Blackburn College?
Blackburn College: its completers carry a median $24,242 in federal loans versus $24,807 at DeVry University-Illinois, a difference of $565. 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 37% at DeVry University-Illinois. 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.