At $21,814/yr net price, Blackburn College graduates earn $46,802/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,802/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,814 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $87,256 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,802/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,802/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,242 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,146/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,130/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,872/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,289/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,005/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $40,456 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $23,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $33,138 | $21,500 |
The Risk Factor
52.4% of students at Blackburn College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Blackburn College gives you a mixed financial picture with a real cost problem. At about $21,800 a year net, you pay a private-college price, but median earnings ten years out land below $47,000. That gap is the core issue: the debt you take on is modest at roughly $24,000, yet the payoff comes slowly given where graduates end up on the salary scale.
The program data undercuts the sticker price. The three bachelor's programs with reported earnings , Liberal Arts, Biology, and Business Administration , all show early earnings in the $33,000 to $40,000 range. Biology and Business, the two most common paths to a stable career, sit near the bottom at around $33,000, and both carry debt above $21,000. Liberal Arts pays the most of the three, which is unusual and tells you the vocational majors here are not pulling ahead. If you come expecting a science or business degree to fast-track a strong salary, the numbers don't back that up.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Just under 58% of you come back for a second year, and only 52% graduate. If you leave with debt and no degree, the ROI turns negative fast, and that outcome hits close to half of every entering class.
The net price tiers are near-flat across incomes. A family under $30,000 pays about $19,100. a family over $110,000 pays about $25,000. That small spread means lower-income families here carry a heavier relative load than at schools with steep income-based discounts.
Blackburn fits you if you want a small Illinois college, keep your borrowing low, and are confident you'll graduate. If you need a degree that quickly clears $50,000, look at schools with stronger earnings outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blackburn College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Blackburn College graduates earn a median of $46,802 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $21,814 per year and median debt of $24,242, the return on investment is modest but manageable for most students.
What are the best paying majors at Blackburn College?
Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Blackburn College earn the highest median salary at $40,456, followed by Biology at $33,993 and Business Administration at $33,138. All three programs produce earnings below the national average for college graduates.
How much debt do Blackburn College students typically graduate with?
The median debt for Blackburn College graduates is $24,242, which is reasonable compared to national averages. However, with a 52% graduation rate, nearly half of students leave without a degree while potentially carrying debt.
Does Blackburn College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Blackburn College's net price of $21,814 per year suggests decent financial aid, bringing costs below many private colleges. The school's work program helps students reduce expenses, but the relatively low post-graduation earnings may still make debt repayment challenging.