Southern Illinois University-Carbondale vs Trinity Christian College: which has better ROI?
Trinity Christian College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,500 in 10.4 years versus 10.6 years at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, on median earnings of $55,700 vs $53,390 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Trinity Christian College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,297 | $19,125 |
| Total net cost | $53,188 | $76,500 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,390 | $55,700 |
| Median debt | $21,543 | $25,009 |
| Payback | 10.6 yrs | 10.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $47,412 | $70,300 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale or Trinity Christian College?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, at $13,297 a year after aid versus $19,125 — a gap of $5,828 a year, or $23,312 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 Trinity Christian College graduates earn more?
Trinity Christian College graduates report a median $55,700 ten years after entry, $2,310 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 Trinity Christian College?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale: its completers carry a median $21,543 in federal loans versus $25,009 at Trinity Christian College, a difference of $3,466. 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 58% at Trinity Christian College. 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.