Illinois College vs Monmouth College: 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 24.9 years at Monmouth College, on median earnings of $52,575 vs $51,110 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Illinois College | Monmouth College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,298 | $17,133 |
| Total net cost | $73,192 | $68,532 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,575 | $51,110 |
| Median debt | $25,565 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 17.4 yrs | 24.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $11,108 | -$13,532 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Illinois College or Monmouth College?
Monmouth College, at $17,133 a year after aid versus $18,298 — a gap of $1,165 a year, or $4,660 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 Monmouth College graduates earn more?
Illinois College graduates report a median $52,575 ten years after entry, $1,465 more than the $51,110 at Monmouth 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 Monmouth College?
Illinois College: its completers carry a median $25,565 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Monmouth College, a difference of $1,435. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Monmouth College, 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.