Southern Illinois University-Carbondale vs Judson University: which has better ROI?
Judson University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,232 in 9.3 years versus 10.6 years at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, on median earnings of $56,313 vs $53,390 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Judson University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,297 | $18,558 |
| Total net cost | $53,188 | $74,232 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,390 | $56,313 |
| Median debt | $21,543 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 10.6 yrs | 9.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $47,412 | $84,828 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale or Judson University?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, at $13,297 a year after aid versus $18,558 — a gap of $5,261 a year, or $21,044 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Southern Illinois University-Carbondale or Judson University graduates earn more?
Judson University graduates report a median $56,313 ten years after entry, $2,923 more than the $53,390 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. 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, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale or Judson University?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale: its completers carry a median $21,543 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Judson University, a difference of $3,457. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
62% of students finish at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, against 60% at Judson 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.