Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park vs Chicago State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chicago State University comes closer — median earnings $42,778 against a $49,340 total, vs $38,683 at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park | Chicago State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,598 | $12,335 |
| Total net cost | $102,392 | $49,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,683 | $42,778 |
| Median debt | $11,250 | $30,625 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$295,932 | -$160,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park or Chicago State University?
Chicago State University, at $12,335 a year after aid versus $25,598 — a gap of $13,263 a year, or $53,052 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park or Chicago State University graduates earn more?
Chicago State University graduates report a median $42,778 ten years after entry, $4,095 more than the $38,683 at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park. 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, Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park or Chicago State University?
Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park: its completers carry a median $11,250 in federal loans versus $30,625 at Chicago State University, a difference of $19,375. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park, against 15% at Chicago State University. 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.