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Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College vs Blackburn College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Rockford IL · vs · Private nonprofit, Carlinville IL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Blackburn College comes closer — median earnings $46,802 against a $73,840 total, vs $34,104 at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureStautzenberger College-Rockford Career CollegeBlackburn College
Net price / yr$21,601$18,460
Total net cost$86,404$73,840
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,104$46,802
Median debt$14,302$24,242
Payback
20-year net return-$371,524-$105,000

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College or Blackburn College?

Blackburn College, at $18,460 a year after aid versus $21,601 — a gap of $3,141 a year, or $12,564 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College or Blackburn College graduates earn more?

Blackburn College graduates report a median $46,802 ten years after entry, $12,698 more than the $34,104 at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career 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 leaves students with less debt, Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College or Blackburn College?

Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College: its completers carry a median $14,302 in federal loans versus $24,242 at Blackburn College, a difference of $9,940. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College, against 57% at Blackburn 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.

Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College vs Blackburn College: frequently asked questions

Is Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College or Blackburn College a better value?
Blackburn College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College or Blackburn College?
Blackburn College: $18,460/yr net price after aid versus $21,601/yr at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College — a difference of $3,141 a year, or about $12,564 over four years.
Do Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College or Blackburn College graduates earn more?
Blackburn College graduates earn a median $46,802 ten years after entry, versus $34,104 at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College — a $12,698 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.