National Louis University vs Blackburn College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but National Louis University comes closer — median earnings $45,799 against a $50,564 total, vs $46,802 at Blackburn College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | National Louis University | Blackburn College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,641 | $18,460 |
| Total net cost | $50,564 | $73,840 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,799 | $46,802 |
| Median debt | $19,750 | $24,242 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$101,784 | -$105,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, National Louis University or Blackburn College?
National Louis University, at $12,641 a year after aid versus $18,460 — a gap of $5,819 a year, or $23,276 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do National Louis University or Blackburn College graduates earn more?
Blackburn College graduates report a median $46,802 ten years after entry, $1,003 more than the $45,799 at National Louis 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, National Louis University or Blackburn College?
National Louis University: its completers carry a median $19,750 in federal loans versus $24,242 at Blackburn College, a difference of $4,492. 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 30% at National Louis 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.