Southern Illinois University Edwardsville vs Wheaton College: which has better ROI?
Wheaton College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $107,900 in 7 years versus 7.5 years at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, on median earnings of $63,756 vs $56,346 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Wheaton College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,889 | $26,975 |
| Total net cost | $59,556 | $107,900 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,346 | $63,756 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 7.5 yrs | 7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $100,164 | $200,020 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville or Wheaton College?
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, at $14,889 a year after aid versus $26,975 — a gap of $12,086 a year, or $48,344 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 Edwardsville or Wheaton College graduates earn more?
Wheaton College graduates report a median $63,756 ten years after entry, $7,410 more than the $56,346 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 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 Edwardsville or Wheaton College?
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Wheaton College, a difference of $2,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
85% of students finish at Wheaton College, against 57% at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 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.