Southern Illinois University-Carbondale vs Lake Forest College: which has better ROI?
Lake Forest College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,692 in 8.5 years versus 10.6 years at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, on median earnings of $61,825 vs $53,390 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Lake Forest College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,297 | $28,673 |
| Total net cost | $53,188 | $114,692 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,390 | $61,825 |
| Median debt | $21,543 | $26,158 |
| Payback | 10.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $47,412 | $154,608 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale or Lake Forest College?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, at $13,297 a year after aid versus $28,673 — a gap of $15,376 a year, or $61,504 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 Lake Forest College graduates earn more?
Lake Forest College graduates report a median $61,825 ten years after entry, $8,435 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 Lake Forest College?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale: its completers carry a median $21,543 in federal loans versus $26,158 at Lake Forest College, a difference of $4,615. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
78% of students finish at Lake Forest College, against 62% at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. 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.