Spoon River College vs Blackburn College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Blackburn College comes closer — median earnings $46,802 against a $73,840 total, vs $38,386 at Spoon River College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Spoon River College | Blackburn College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,415 | $18,460 |
| Total net cost | $13,660 | $73,840 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,386 | $46,802 |
| Median debt | — | $24,242 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$213,140 | -$105,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Spoon River College or Blackburn College?
Spoon River College, at $3,415 a year after aid versus $18,460 — a gap of $15,045 a year, or $60,180 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Spoon River College or Blackburn College graduates earn more?
Blackburn College graduates report a median $46,802 ten years after entry, $8,416 more than the $38,386 at Spoon River 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 graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Blackburn College, against 42% at Spoon River 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.