Degree Dividend
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Lincoln Land Community College vs Blackburn College: which has better ROI?

Public, Springfield IL · vs · Private nonprofit, Carlinville IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Blackburn College comes closer — median earnings $46,802 against a $73,840 total, vs $38,479 at Lincoln Land Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLincoln Land Community CollegeBlackburn College
Net price / yr$4,299$18,460
Total net cost$17,196$73,840
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,479$46,802
Median debt$11,011$24,242
Payback
20-year net return-$214,816-$105,000

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

Which is cheaper, Lincoln Land Community College or Blackburn College?

Lincoln Land Community College, at $4,299 a year after aid versus $18,460 — a gap of $14,161 a year, or $56,644 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 Land Community College or Blackburn College graduates earn more?

Blackburn College graduates report a median $46,802 ten years after entry, $8,323 more than the $38,479 at Lincoln Land Community 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, Lincoln Land Community College or Blackburn College?

Lincoln Land Community College: its completers carry a median $11,011 in federal loans versus $24,242 at Blackburn College, a difference of $13,231. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at Blackburn College, against 48% at Lincoln Land Community 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.

Lincoln Land Community College vs Blackburn College: frequently asked questions

Is Lincoln Land Community College or Blackburn College a better value?
Blackburn 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, Lincoln Land Community College or Blackburn College?
Lincoln Land Community College: $4,299/yr net price after aid versus $18,460/yr at Blackburn College — a difference of $14,161 a year, or about $56,644 over four years.
Do Lincoln Land Community College or Blackburn College graduates earn more?
Blackburn College graduates earn a median $46,802 ten years after entry, versus $38,479 at Lincoln Land Community College — a $8,323 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.