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Knox College vs ETI School of Skilled Trades: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Galesburg IL · vs · Private for-profit, Willowbrook IL

The verdict

Knox College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $98,380 in 15.2 years versus 19.9 years at ETI School of Skilled Trades, on median earnings of $54,820 vs $52,800 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureKnox CollegeETI School of Skilled Trades
Net price / yr$24,595$22,126
Total net cost$98,380$88,504
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,820$52,800
Median debt$27,000$9,500
Payback15.2 yrs19.9 yrs
20-year net return$30,820$296

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

Which is cheaper, Knox College or ETI School of Skilled Trades?

ETI School of Skilled Trades, at $22,126 a year after aid versus $24,595 — a gap of $2,469 a year, or $9,876 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Knox College or ETI School of Skilled Trades graduates earn more?

Knox College graduates report a median $54,820 ten years after entry, $2,020 more than the $52,800 at ETI School of Skilled Trades. 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, Knox College or ETI School of Skilled Trades?

ETI School of Skilled Trades: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Knox College, a difference of $17,500. 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 68% at Knox 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.

Knox College vs ETI School of Skilled Trades: frequently asked questions

Is Knox College or ETI School of Skilled Trades a better value?
Knox College. It clears its $98,380 net cost in about 15.2 years versus 19.9 years at ETI School of Skilled Trades, on median earnings of $54,820 vs $52,800 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Knox College or ETI School of Skilled Trades?
ETI School of Skilled Trades: $22,126/yr net price after aid versus $24,595/yr at Knox College — a difference of $2,469 a year, or about $9,876 over four years.
Do Knox College or ETI School of Skilled Trades graduates earn more?
Knox College graduates earn a median $54,820 ten years after entry, versus $52,800 at ETI School of Skilled Trades — a $2,020 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.