Degree Dividend
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John A Logan College vs Carl Sandburg College: which has better ROI?

Public, Carterville IL · vs · Public, Galesburg IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Carl Sandburg College comes closer — median earnings $35,274 against a $7,324 total, vs $34,096 at John A Logan College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureJohn A Logan CollegeCarl Sandburg College
Net price / yr$5,541$3,662
Total net cost$11,082$7,324
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,096$35,274
Median debt$4,909
Payback
20-year net return-$296,362-$269,044

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

Which is cheaper, John A Logan College or Carl Sandburg College?

Carl Sandburg College, at $3,662 a year after aid versus $5,541 — a gap of $1,879 a year, or $3,758 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do John A Logan College or Carl Sandburg College graduates earn more?

Carl Sandburg College graduates report a median $35,274 ten years after entry, $1,178 more than the $34,096 at John A Logan 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 graduates more of its students?

50% of students finish at Carl Sandburg College, against 46% at John A Logan 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.

John A Logan College vs Carl Sandburg College: frequently asked questions

Is John A Logan College or Carl Sandburg College a better value?
Carl Sandburg College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, John A Logan College or Carl Sandburg College?
Carl Sandburg College: $3,662/yr net price after aid versus $5,541/yr at John A Logan College — a difference of $1,879 a year, or about $3,758 over four years.
Do John A Logan College or Carl Sandburg College graduates earn more?
Carl Sandburg College graduates earn a median $35,274 ten years after entry, versus $34,096 at John A Logan College — a $1,178 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.