McHenry County College vs Carl Sandburg College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but McHenry County College comes closer — median earnings $45,143 against a $28,168 total, vs $35,274 at Carl Sandburg College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | McHenry County College | Carl Sandburg College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,042 | $3,662 |
| Total net cost | $28,168 | $7,324 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,143 | $35,274 |
| Median debt | $6,260 | $4,909 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$92,508 | -$269,044 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, McHenry County College or Carl Sandburg College?
Carl Sandburg College, at $3,662 a year after aid versus $7,042 — a gap of $3,380 a year, or $20,844 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do McHenry County College or Carl Sandburg College graduates earn more?
McHenry County College graduates report a median $45,143 ten years after entry, $9,869 more than the $35,274 at Carl Sandburg 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, McHenry County College or Carl Sandburg College?
Carl Sandburg College: its completers carry a median $4,909 in federal loans versus $6,260 at McHenry County College, a difference of $1,351. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at Carl Sandburg College, against 37% at McHenry County 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.