Head-to-head comparison
Chamberlain University-Illinois vs University of St Francis: which has better ROI?
Option A Addison, IL
Chamberlain University-Illinois
- Net price / year
- $31,837
- Earnings, 10 years
- $92,405
- Payback
- 2.9 yrs
Option B Joliet, IL
University of St Francis
- Net price / year
- $13,006
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,926
- Payback
- 3.3 yrs
Chamberlain University-Illinois has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $127,348 in 2.9 years versus 3.3 years at University of St Francis, on median earnings of $92,405 vs $63,926 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chamberlain University-Illinois | University of St Francis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $31,837 | $13,006 |
| Total net cost | $127,348 | $52,024 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $92,405 | $63,926 |
| Median debt | $20,919 | $21,079 |
| Payback | 2.9 yrs | 3.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $753,552 | $259,296 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Chamberlain University-Illinois or University of St Francis?
University of St Francis, at $13,006 a year after aid versus $31,837 — a gap of $18,831 a year, or $75,324 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Chamberlain University-Illinois or University of St Francis graduates earn more?
Chamberlain University-Illinois graduates report a median $92,405 ten years after entry, $28,479 more than the $63,926 at University of St Francis. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Chamberlain University-Illinois or University of St Francis?
Chamberlain University-Illinois: its completers carry a median $20,919 in federal loans versus $21,079 at University of St Francis, a difference of $160. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at University of St Francis, against 42% at Chamberlain University-Illinois. 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.