Moody Bible Institute vs Chicago State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Moody Bible Institute comes closer — median earnings $45,399 against a $88,884 total, vs $42,778 at Chicago State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Moody Bible Institute | Chicago State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,221 | $12,335 |
| Total net cost | $88,884 | $49,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,399 | $42,778 |
| Median debt | $18,149 | $30,625 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$148,104 | -$160,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Moody Bible Institute or Chicago State University?
Chicago State University, at $12,335 a year after aid versus $22,221 — a gap of $9,886 a year, or $39,544 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Moody Bible Institute or Chicago State University graduates earn more?
Moody Bible Institute graduates report a median $45,399 ten years after entry, $2,621 more than the $42,778 at Chicago State University. 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, Moody Bible Institute or Chicago State University?
Moody Bible Institute: its completers carry a median $18,149 in federal loans versus $30,625 at Chicago State University, a difference of $12,476. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
62% of students finish at Moody Bible Institute, 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.