Morton College vs Chicago State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Morton College comes closer — median earnings $42,406 against a $10,382 total, vs $42,778 at Chicago State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Morton College | Chicago State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,191 | $12,335 |
| Total net cost | $10,382 | $49,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,406 | $42,778 |
| Median debt | $8,000 | $30,625 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$129,462 | -$160,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Morton College or Chicago State University?
Morton College, at $5,191 a year after aid versus $12,335 — a gap of $7,144 a year, or $38,958 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Morton College or Chicago State University graduates earn more?
Chicago State University graduates report a median $42,778 ten years after entry, $372 more than the $42,406 at Morton 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, Morton College or Chicago State University?
Morton College: its completers carry a median $8,000 in federal loans versus $30,625 at Chicago State University, a difference of $22,625. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
31% of students finish at Morton College, 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.