Eastern Illinois University vs Concordia University-Chicago: which has better ROI?
Concordia University-Chicago has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,744 in 12.9 years versus 14.1 years at Eastern Illinois University, on median earnings of $54,089 vs $51,989 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Eastern Illinois University | Concordia University-Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,786 | $18,436 |
| Total net cost | $51,144 | $73,744 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,989 | $54,089 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 14.1 yrs | 12.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $21,436 | $40,836 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Eastern Illinois University or Concordia University-Chicago?
Eastern Illinois University, at $12,786 a year after aid versus $18,436 — a gap of $5,650 a year, or $22,600 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Eastern Illinois University or Concordia University-Chicago graduates earn more?
Concordia University-Chicago graduates report a median $54,089 ten years after entry, $2,100 more than the $51,989 at Eastern Illinois 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, Eastern Illinois University or Concordia University-Chicago?
Eastern Illinois University: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Concordia University-Chicago, a difference of $1,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
47% of students finish at Eastern Illinois University, 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.