Illinois College vs ETI School of Skilled Trades: which has better ROI?
Illinois College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,192 in 17.4 years versus 19.9 years at ETI School of Skilled Trades, on median earnings of $52,575 vs $52,800 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Illinois College | ETI School of Skilled Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,298 | $22,126 |
| Total net cost | $73,192 | $88,504 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,575 | $52,800 |
| Median debt | $25,565 | $9,500 |
| Payback | 17.4 yrs | 19.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $11,108 | $296 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Illinois College or ETI School of Skilled Trades?
Illinois College, at $18,298 a year after aid versus $22,126 — a gap of $3,828 a year, or $15,312 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Illinois College or ETI School of Skilled Trades graduates earn more?
ETI School of Skilled Trades graduates report a median $52,800 ten years after entry, $225 more than the $52,575 at Illinois 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, Illinois College or ETI School of Skilled Trades?
ETI School of Skilled Trades: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $25,565 at Illinois College, a difference of $16,065. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at ETI School of Skilled Trades, against 64% at Illinois 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.