Olivet Nazarene University vs Illinois College: which has better ROI?
Olivet Nazarene University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,916 in 17.1 years versus 17.4 years at Illinois College, on median earnings of $53,213 vs $52,575 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Olivet Nazarene University | Illinois College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,729 | $18,298 |
| Total net cost | $82,916 | $73,192 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,213 | $52,575 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $25,565 |
| Payback | 17.1 yrs | 17.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $14,144 | $11,108 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Olivet Nazarene University or Illinois College?
Illinois College, at $18,298 a year after aid versus $20,729 — a gap of $2,431 a year, or $9,724 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Olivet Nazarene University or Illinois College graduates earn more?
Olivet Nazarene University graduates report a median $53,213 ten years after entry, $638 more than the $52,575 at Illinois 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, Olivet Nazarene University or Illinois College?
Olivet Nazarene University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $25,565 at Illinois College, a difference of $565. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at Illinois College, against 61% at Olivet Nazarene 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.