Degree Dividend
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Moraine Valley Community College vs Blackburn College: which has better ROI?

Public, Palos Hills IL · vs · Private nonprofit, Carlinville IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Moraine Valley Community College comes closer — median earnings $43,892 against a $11,316 total, vs $46,802 at Blackburn College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMoraine Valley Community CollegeBlackburn College
Net price / yr$2,829$18,460
Total net cost$11,316$73,840
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,892$46,802
Median debt$9,500$24,242
Payback
20-year net return-$100,676-$105,000

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

Which is cheaper, Moraine Valley Community College or Blackburn College?

Moraine Valley Community College, at $2,829 a year after aid versus $18,460 — a gap of $15,631 a year, or $62,524 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Moraine Valley Community College or Blackburn College graduates earn more?

Blackburn College graduates report a median $46,802 ten years after entry, $2,910 more than the $43,892 at Moraine Valley 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, Moraine Valley Community College or Blackburn College?

Moraine Valley Community College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $24,242 at Blackburn College, a difference of $14,742. 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 40% at Moraine Valley 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.

Moraine Valley Community College vs Blackburn College: frequently asked questions

Is Moraine Valley Community College or Blackburn College a better value?
Moraine Valley Community 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, Moraine Valley Community College or Blackburn College?
Moraine Valley Community College: $2,829/yr net price after aid versus $18,460/yr at Blackburn College — a difference of $15,631 a year, or about $62,524 over four years.
Do Moraine Valley Community College or Blackburn College graduates earn more?
Blackburn College graduates earn a median $46,802 ten years after entry, versus $43,892 at Moraine Valley Community College — a $2,910 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.