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McKendree University vs Trinity Christian College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Lebanon IL · vs · Private nonprofit, Palos Heights IL

The verdict

McKendree University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $98,868 in 9.7 years versus 10.4 years at Trinity Christian College, on median earnings of $58,572 vs $55,700 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMcKendree UniversityTrinity Christian College
Net price / yr$24,717$19,125
Total net cost$98,868$76,500
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,572$55,700
Median debt$23,250$25,009
Payback9.7 yrs10.4 yrs
20-year net return$105,372$70,300

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

Which is cheaper, McKendree University or Trinity Christian College?

Trinity Christian College, at $19,125 a year after aid versus $24,717 — a gap of $5,592 a year, or $22,368 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do McKendree University or Trinity Christian College graduates earn more?

McKendree University graduates report a median $58,572 ten years after entry, $2,872 more than the $55,700 at Trinity Christian 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, McKendree University or Trinity Christian College?

McKendree University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $25,009 at Trinity Christian College, a difference of $1,759. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

58% of students finish at Trinity Christian College, against 53% at McKendree 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.

McKendree University vs Trinity Christian College: frequently asked questions

Is McKendree University or Trinity Christian College a better value?
McKendree University. It clears its $98,868 net cost in about 9.7 years versus 10.4 years at Trinity Christian College, on median earnings of $58,572 vs $55,700 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, McKendree University or Trinity Christian College?
Trinity Christian College: $19,125/yr net price after aid versus $24,717/yr at McKendree University — a difference of $5,592 a year, or about $22,368 over four years.
Do McKendree University or Trinity Christian College graduates earn more?
McKendree University graduates earn a median $58,572 ten years after entry, versus $55,700 at Trinity Christian College — a $2,872 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.