Rasmussen University-Illinois vs Carl Sandburg College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Rasmussen University-Illinois comes closer — median earnings $39,080 against a $39,708 total, vs $35,274 at Carl Sandburg College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Rasmussen University-Illinois | Carl Sandburg College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,854 | $3,662 |
| Total net cost | $39,708 | $7,324 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,080 | $35,274 |
| Median debt | $20,899 | $4,909 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$225,308 | -$269,044 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Rasmussen University-Illinois or Carl Sandburg College?
Carl Sandburg College, at $3,662 a year after aid versus $19,854 — a gap of $16,192 a year, or $32,384 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Rasmussen University-Illinois or Carl Sandburg College graduates earn more?
Rasmussen University-Illinois graduates report a median $39,080 ten years after entry, $3,806 more than the $35,274 at Carl Sandburg 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, Rasmussen University-Illinois or Carl Sandburg College?
Carl Sandburg College: its completers carry a median $4,909 in federal loans versus $20,899 at Rasmussen University-Illinois, a difference of $15,990. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at Carl Sandburg College, against 43% at Rasmussen University-Illinois. 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.